Huttonite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Huttonite
Colin Osborne Hutton
Formula:
ThSiO4
Colour:
Colourless to very pale cream, pale greenish
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
7.1
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1951 by Adolph Pabst in honor of Colin Osborne Hutton [January 10, 1910 Dunedin, New Zealand - December 1, 1971 Stanford, California, USA], geologist with the New Zealand Geological Survey, professor of Mineralogy at the University of Otago, and later professor of mineralogy at Stanford University. Hutton established many of the principles of using heavy detrital minerals in geochemical exploration. Hutton's research, along with that of Frank J. Turner, established the textural basis for classifying schists that is widely used by geologists. Hutton named hydrogrossular.
Dimorph of:
Appears to be the high-temperature modification of ThSiO4 (synthetic crystals form at 1225 +/- 10°C whereas thorite forms below this temperature; Finch et al. 1964). The phase transformation thorite -> huttonite is contrary to expectation, because the denser modification forms at a higher temperature (Finch et al. 1964).
May belong to monazite-(Ce)-huttonite series.
May belong to monazite-(Ce)-huttonite series.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1955
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1955:8
Similar Names
| Duttonite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | V4+O(OH)2 |
IMA Classification of Huttonite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Th4+SiO4
First published:
1951
Classification of Huttonite
9.AD.35
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
D : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in [6] and/or greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
D : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in [6] and/or greater coordination
51.5.3.1
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
5 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in >[6] coordination
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
5 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in >[6] coordination
14.11.2
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
11 : Silicates of Th and Hg
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
11 : Silicates of Th and Hg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ht | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Ht | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Huttonite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless to very pale cream, pale greenish
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN150=318 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{001}
{001}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
7.1 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.18 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Huttonite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.898 nβ = 1.900 nγ = 1.922
2V:
Measured: 25° (1)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.024
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r > v extreme
Chemistry of Huttonite
Mindat Formula:
ThSiO4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
U,TR,Fe,Mn,Ca,F,OH
Crystallography of Huttonite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.80(3) Å, b = 6.96(3) Å, c = 6.54(3) Å
β = 104.92(16)°
β = 104.92(16)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.977 : 1 : 0.94
Unit Cell V:
299.09 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Space Group: P21/n : rarely metamict.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009634 | Huttonite | Taylor M, Ewing R C (1978) The crystal structure of the ThSiO4 polymorphs: huttonite and thorite Acta Crystallographica B34 1074-1079 |  | 1978 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.09 Å | (100) |
| 2.89 Å | (90) |
| 4.23 Å | (75) |
| 3.29 Å | (75) |
| 4.71 Å | (60) |
| 4.08 Å | (50) |
| 3.53 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Huttonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
anhedral grains
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Heavy mineral beach detrital sands
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Huttonite
Varieties of Huttonite
| Cerphosphorhuttonite | Intermediate member of Monazite-(Ce) and Huttonite series of solid solutions with Th:LREE and Si:P ratios close to 1:1. |
Relationship of Huttonite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Monazite Supergroup:
| Cheralite | CaTh(PO4)2 | Mon. 2/m |
| Crocoite | PbCr6+O4 | Mon. 2/m |
| Gasparite Group | REE(AsO4) | |
| Monazite Group | REE(PO4) | |
| Rooseveltite | Bi(AsO4) | Mon. 2/m |
Forms a series with:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AD. | Adrianite | Ca12(Al4Mg3Si7)O32Cl6 |
| 9.AD.05 | Larnite | Ca2SiO4 |
| 9.AD.10 | Calcio-olivine | Ca2SiO4 |
| 9.AD.15 | Merwinite | Ca3Mg(SiO4)2 |
| 9.AD.20 | Bredigite | Ca7Mg(SiO4)4 |
| 9.AD.25 | Midbarite | Ca3Mg2(V5+2Si)O12 |
| 9.AD.25 | Menzerite-(Y) | (Y2Ca)Mg2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Uvarovite | Ca3Cr3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Eltyubyuite | Ca12Fe3+10Si4O32Cl6 |
| 9.AD.25 | Eringaite | Ca3Sc2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Henritermierite | Ca3Mn3+2(SiO4)2[◻(OH)4] |
| 9.AD.25 va | 'Hydrougrandite' | (Ca,Mg,Fe2+)3(Fe3+,Al)2[(OH)4(SiO4)2] |
| 9.AD.25 | Calderite | Mn2+3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Nikmelnikovite | Ca12(Fe2+Fe3+3Al3◻)[SiO4]6[◻(OH)4]5◻4 |
| 9.AD.25 | Hutcheonite | Ca3Ti2(SiO4)(AlO4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Wadalite | (Ca,Mg)6(Al,Fe3+)4((Si,Al)O4)3O4Cl3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Rubinite | Ca3Ti3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Kerimasite | Ca3Zr2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Holtstamite | Ca3Al2(SiO4)2[◻(OH)4] |
| 9.AD.25 | Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Toturite | Ca3Sn2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Kimzeyite | Ca3Zr2(SiO4)(AlO4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | 'Khoharite' | Mg3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Irinarassite | Ca3Sn2(SiO4)(AlO4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Knorringite | Mg3Cr3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Goldmanite | Ca3V3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | 'Blythite' | Mn2+3Mn3+2[SiO4]3 |
| 9.AD.25 | 'Skiagite' | Fe2+3Fe3+2[SiO4]3 |
| 9.AD.25 | 'UM1984-37-SiO:CrMn' | Mn2+3Cr3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Almandine | Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 va | 'Yamatoite' | (Mn2+,Ca)3(V3+,Al)2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Momoiite | Mn2+3V3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Grossular | Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Morimotoite | Ca3(TiFe2+)(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Majorite | Mg3(MgSi)(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Pyrope | Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Schorlomite | Ca3Ti2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 9.AD.30 | Hafnon | Hf(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.30 | Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.30 | Coffinite | U(SiO4) · nH2O |
| 9.AD.30 | Thorite | Th(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.30 va | 'Auerlite' | near Th(Si,P)O4 |
| 9.AD.30 | Stetindite-(Ce) | Ce4+SiO4 |
| 9.AD.35 | 'Tombarthite-(Y)' | Y4(Si,H4)4O12-x(OH)4+2x |
| 9.AD.40 | Eulytine | Bi4(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.45 | Reidite | Zr(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.55 | Jeffbenite | Mg3Al2Si3O12 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 71.5899% | 2,863,596 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Fluorescence of Huttonite
Fluoresces dull white with a pink tinge under SW UV
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Huttonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1955.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Huttonite
Reference List:
Pabst, Adolf, Hutton, C. O. (1951) Huttonite, a new monoclinic thorium silicate, with an account of its occurrence, analysis, and properties. American Mineralogist, 36 (1-2) 60-65
Finch, C. B.; Harris, L. A.; Clark, G. W. (1964) The thorite->huttonite phase transformation as determined by growth of synthetic thorite and huttonite single crystals. American Mineralogist, 49 (5-6). 782-785
Taylor, M., Ewing, R. C. (1978) The crystal structures of the ThSiO4 polymorphs: huttonite and thorite. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 34 (4) 1074-1079 doi:10.1107/s0567740878004951
Kucha, Henryk (1980) Continuity in the monazite-huttonite series. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (332) 1031-1034 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.332.12
Della Ventura, Giancarlo, Mottana, Annibale, Parodi, Gian Carlo, Raudsepp, Mati, Bellatreccia, Fabio, Caprilli, Enrico, Rossi, Paolo, Fiori, Salvatore (1996) Monazite-huttonite solid-solutions from the Vico Volcanic Complex, Latium, Italy. Mineralogical Magazine, 60 (402) 751-758 doi:10.1180/minmag.1996.060.402.04
Localities for Huttonite
Showing 59 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Lehrmann (2012) |
| Wülser et al. (2011) |
| Eagle (2009) |
Brazil | |
| Campo Rodriguez et al. (2024) |
Canada | |
| Traill (1983) |
China | |
| Liu et al. (2024) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
Egypt | |
| Mohamed (2013) |
| Saleh et al. (2026) |
| Abed et al. (2022) | |
| Shahin et al. (2025) | |
| Elsagheer et al. (2025) |
Finland | |
| [var: Cerphosphorhuttonite] Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data |
| Ani et al. (2013) |
| Hytönen (1999) |
| Al-Ani et al. (2018) |
Germany | |
| Blaß et al. (2002) |
| Blaß et al. (2002) |
| Blaß et al. (2002) | |
| Blaß et al. (2002) |
| Blaß et al. (2002) |
Greece | |
| Vasilatos et al. (2023) |
Hungary | |
| Kohút et al. (2019) |
Iran | |
| Khoshnoodi et al. (2023) |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| ... |
| Bedognè et al. (2006) |
| Zaccarini et al. (2005) |
| Orlandi (2011) |
Japan | |
| Imaoka et al. (2024) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| |
Mexico | |
| Prol-Ledesma et al. (2012) |
Nepal | |
| Aaron J. Martin et al. (2009) |
New Zealand (TL) | |
| Pabst (1950) +2 other references |
Poland | |
| Kucha (2021) |
| Kucha (2021) |
| Kucha (1980) +1 other reference |
Portugal | |
| Samples collected by Luigi Chiappino ... +1 other reference |
Romania | |
| HÎRTOPANU et al. (2014) |
Russia | |
| Konev et al. (1996) |
| Am Min 90:1402-1412 (deposit item) |
| webmineral.ru (2016) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Korostelev et al. (2016) |
| Bukhanova et al. (2019) |
| ... |
| [var: Cerphosphorhuttonite] Ivanova et al. (2020) |
Slovakia | |
| Uher P. et al. (2018) |
South Africa | |
| Mitchell et al. (2004) |
Sweden | |
| |
| [var: Cerphosphorhuttonite] Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
UK | |
| LeBoutillier et al. (2003) |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Falster et al. (1996) |
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